Republican lawmakers are circulating a bill to expand broadband service in underserved parts of the state. The measure made public Tuesday is sponsored by Representative Romaine Quinn of Rice Lake and Senator Howard Marklein of Spring Green. It would allocate 15-and-a-half million dollars in grants for rural areas. Almost a quarter of Wisconsinites live in rural areas and around 40 percent do not have broadband, or high-speed internet access, at home. Governor Scott Walker’s budget proposal released last week included an additional 35-million dollar for broadband, which includes the grants. A significant portion will go toward schools and educational institutions.